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Updated over 8 years ago,

User Stats

25
Posts
12
Votes
Josh Pass
  • Investor
  • Kent, WA
12
Votes |
25
Posts

Newbie from Seattle, WA area

Josh Pass
  • Investor
  • Kent, WA
Posted

Hello everyone!  I'm happy to be here.  I'm an extreme newbie with real estate but been just reading and watching everything I can.  I found BiggerPockets from listening to Clayon Morris' podcast.  Pretty cool that Brandon is from my area too!

A little about myself...I'm 32 years old with 2 young children.  Live south of Seattle about 20 miles in Kent, WA. Originally from Dallas, Texas.  I'm an IT guy and have been since I was 13.  I enjoy technology, video games, TV & movies, the outdoors, health & fitness, hanging out with my family.  I used to be a big fat guy but lost 160 pounds in my mid 20s and kept it off.

I suppose my first step into this industry (whether I knew it or not) was when I bought my mobile home in my mid 20s.  I then provided seller financing for my roommate at the time and then bought the home I am in now.  I bought it foreclosed on in 2012.  At the time, I was just looking for a large enough house that I could afford.  Looking back, it certainly was a good decision financially.  I've got a lot of equity in it.  And because of the low payment, my wife has been able to stay at home to take care of our children.  

I've always wanted to figure out something to do to get passive income.  Or at least just be my own boss with something.  I've tried various things (my own computer support business, podcasting, etc etc) but nothing really has clicked, and that could just be me not giving my all on those projects perhaps if I'm honest with myself.  I've grown tried of IT (clients and bosses suck) and was just a little depressed at looking at the future of me working that job until I die.  Like many here, I want to enjoy life more and do what I want.  I want to see my family more.  I want to see the world more.  I want to work on other projects that I truly enjoy (but might not be financially viable on their own).  I want to be able to provide for my family now and hopefully the future long after I'm gone.  The stock market always seemed too risky to me.  Real estate was always a thought in my mind as I have seen people do it over the years but I never thought "well I can do that".  Until I heard Clayon Morris, who really made it sound viable, which also brought me here, which has been a tremendous resource!  I already know this is something I want to get into as I'm reading as much as I can and telling everyone I know about it!

I'm working on my own finances now but hope to get into buy and hold investing soon. I only have debt in my house and one vehicle. I almost have a year of living expenses saved up (has always been my goal). Then I will be taking the plunge. With the equity in my house, I think i'll do a cash out refinance or a HELOC (haven't decided) to fund my first project. That way I have at least one under my belt and I can say I did it and then hopefully it will be easier to find soft/hard money lenders going forward.

Anywho, thanks for reading.  Any advise is greatly appreciated.  Looking forward to being here!

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